Removing injectors

[David W]

I'm going to pull my injectors on my 1978 2qm15 over the winter so they can either be serviced or replaced. Biggest concern at this point actually getting them out. I've no idea if they have ever been removed.

For context, one of the water pump mounting studs sheared off and it took a month of Liquid-Wrench applications, some gentle tapping and a bit of Vise-grip luck but I managed to remove the stud.

What potential break/shear/oh crap thats gonna be expensive dangers might I be facing?

 

[Mark Maulden]

You might be surprised...You could always undo the caps and click the engine over. Be prepared to capture them.....

 

[WayneH]

On my Westerbeast 50, there are two studs and nuts holding them in. I backed the nuts off to near the end of the stud threads and then pried a bit on the injectors. When they broke free, the nuts kept them from flying off and landing under the engine pan somewhere. (That's where all loose parts go.) Only one stud backed out during the operation so I felt lucky there.

 

[BJV]

good article in this month's Sail on this exact subject

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. PB Blaster is FAR superior to Liquid Wrench. Try your local ACE hardware store.

2. Do some more research, it's been done before. And most likely documented by some wonderful sailor willing to share. Google is your friend in this regard.

Good luck.

PS - Instead of rebuilding, just bite the bullet and get new ones. Reports seem to vary about costs, but the potentially small additional cost for new ones is well worth it. That's what I'd do if it was my boat.

 

[anchorclanker]

I second PB Blaster. But really, they will likely just come out. Dont let water pump bolts scare you off, those are always difficult.

 

[kenn]

I'm going to pull my injectors on my 1978 2qm15 over the winter so they can either be serviced or replaced.

Just wondering... are you after injector service because of a problem, or because it's due according to the maintenance schedule?

 

[David W]

Just wondering... are you after injector service because of a problem, or because it's due according to the maintenance schedule?

Mostly for service but also to maybe reduce a bit of white smoke. The old girl is 34 years old, we've owned her since the Fall of 2004 and I have never had them serviced. It probably is not going to make a significant difference to the smoke.

 

[David W]

1. PB Blaster is FAR superior to Liquid Wrench. Try your local ACE hardware store.

2. Do some more research, it's been done before. And most likely documented by some wonderful sailor willing to share. Google is your friend in this regard.

Good luck.

PS - Instead of rebuilding, just bite the bullet and get new ones. Reports seem to vary about costs, but the potentially small additional cost for new ones is well worth it. That's what I'd do if it was my boat.

Agree on the new injectors Stu, seems like false economy to rebuild.

Thanks all for the PB Blaster advice.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Caution: Seems you want to keep the area around the injectors clean, clean, clean. So, either don't bother if you don't need to, or play surgeon. PB Blaster loosens stuck materials, it does not necessarily promote cleanliness.

 

[kloudie1]

Vacuum around the injector pocket before removal.. After the injector is removed, use a shop vac with a smaller tip to get inside the pocket and inside the cylinder to remove debris.. In addition, the newest "Sail" magazine has a little article on removing injectors..

 

[Graycruiser]

Why is injector rebuild a false economy? If the moving parts are replaced and tested to original specs at about half the cost of new ones, why not? I found a local (Baltimore) diesel service shop will rebuile them for half the cost of others, and one-quarter the cost of new ones.